Support aired for onshore gas exploration moratorium

The company proposing to drill for gas at Seaspray in Gippsland has applauded a Victorian Government decision to extend the ban on onshore exploration.

Lakes Oil wants to horizontally drill a well at Seaspray and sink another well in the Otways.

The new Victorian Energy Minister, Russell Northe, has rejected work applications until a community consultation process is completed late next year.

Rob Annells from Lakes Oil says he supports any investigation into the environmental impacts of drilling.

"Unfortunately there was a change of minister in the middle of all that and I'm sure that it's had a big bearing on the delay but as I say I'm very refreshed, I'm very, very refreshed that Minister Northe has really got his finger on the pulse and I think what he's doing is correct," he said.

Cam Walker from the environment group Friends of the Earth has welcomed the Government's decision.

He says it is a testament to the strength of community opposition to onshore gas industries.

"The Government knew that in an election year they could not have the image of farmers on horseback riding up Bourke Street or farmers locking onto drilling equipment, they just couldn't live with that, it would be electoral suicide," he said.

"I think the absolute depth of community opposition is so overwhelming that it's even shifted a pro gas and a pro coal Coalition Government."